Studies In Ephesians: Family And Master/Slave Relationship Series

Note: This is a study through the book of Ephesians as done in 1995. One of the main sources I used at the time was Beacon Bible Commentary vol. 9.

Title: Summary of Ephesians

Theme: To show the whole book of Ephesians summed up in the last verses.

Text: Eph 6:23-24

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. <> {in sincerity: or, with incorruption} (Ephesians 6:23-24 AV)

Doctrinal 1-3 How we are redeemed by God

Doctrines of:

Predestination, election and adoption Eph 1:3-6

Redeeming blood of Christ 1:7-12

Seal of the spirit and our inheritance 1:13-14

Redemption by grace and reconciliation 2:1-1-15

Unity in the body of Christ

Practical 4-6 How we are to live as redeemed

Practices of:

Believers are to separate from the world

"be holy without blame" 1:4

"walk worthily of vocation wherewith we are called" 4:1

"become a perfect man" 4:13

live "in righteousness and true holiness" 4:24

"walk in love" 5:2

live a life of holiness and a church "without spot or wrinkle" ch 5

In it we see a new way of life included in the family and work 5:22-6:9

We are to stand firm against satan and fight 6:10-20

Must be a balance of these.

Know the doctrines but do not pratice them.

Live a life with no doctrine

Walks of Ephesians

1) Walk in good works of Christ

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which

God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. {ordained: or, prepared}

2) Walk worthy of our vocation or calling

Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the

vocation wherewith ye are called, {of the Lord: or, in the Lord}

3) Walk in truth not in vanity

Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as

other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

4) Walk in love

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us

an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

5) Walk as children of light

Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as

children of light:

6) Walk circumspectly

Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

These are not natural human virtues but are gifts "from God the Father adn the Lord Jesus Christ."

Summary of the book of Ephesians

I. Peace

Eph 2:14

Unity in the body brings peace

Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];

Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

II. Love with faith cf. Gal 5:6

Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Love and unity is what the book Ephesians is all about

Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Faith in Christ is what helps us to love. If we have faith then we can love. If we love then we can have faith.

Joh 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

III. Grace

Eph 2:8,9

Grace-"the unmerited favor of God"

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:5-7 AV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 AV)

Grace-unmerited favor-is the reason that we can be saved.

Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Summary of Purpose and theme of Ephesians and the walk in this life

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, {his mighty power: Gr. the might of his power} Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:18-23 AV)

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (Ephesians 5:30 AV)